Inspired by P.K. Subban, Dr. "CK" (Charles Kowalski) raises his donation to the Montreal Children's Hospital from $50,000 to $250,000

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Dr. Charles Kowalski, better-known as "Dr. CK", recently garnered national attention by placing a full-page ad in the Montreal Gazette to thank P.K. Subban for serving as an outstanding role model for children, and as an advocate and donor to the Montreal Children's Hospital. Dr. Kowalski and his family have decided to increase their original $50,000 commitment to $250,000 of their own money, and their unopened 2016-17 Canadiens seasons tickets, to the Montreal Children's Hospital at a special presentation held in the P.K. Subban Atrium at the Children's this Wednesday.

With P.K.'s move to Nashville, Dr. Kowalski has been raising money for the hospital through his initiative, "A Franchise Held in Trust" (www.AFranchiseHeldInTrust.com). P.K's fans in Montreal and across the country are encouraged to visit the site to donate directly to the Montreal Children's Hospital, in honour of the work started by Mr. Subban.

Dr. Kowalski says a phone conversation with P.K. Subban on Monday helped cement his decision to make a donation five times larger than originally planned. "I am a big fan of P.K.'s and while I know he has promised to continue to support the kids at the Children's, I believe it will be more of a challenge for him to do this from Nashville," says Dr. CK.  "It is important to my wife and I that the patients do not pay the price for his move to another city and we encourage P.K.'s fans everywhere to follow our lead and support his efforts."

"Helping others is not a one man job," says P.K. Subban, "and obviously Dr. Kowalski and his family are very special. This doesn't happen every day… I am completely blown away by their generosity and contribution to my foundation and the Montreal Children's Hospital. I hope that this donation will continue to inspire others to pay it forward!"

For Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation president, Marie-Josée Gariépy, this donation demonstrates how P.K. Subban is capable of rallying people from all parts of Canada, not only Montrealers. "Since his 10-million dollar engagement announcement, we've seen an outpouring of support from all over and this amazing donation today is proof that people fundamentally care for child health. We are forever thankful to donors like Dr. Kowalski for taking up the fundraising torch for us," she says, adding that P.K's departure from Montreal will not affect his pledge to the patients and families of the Children's.

Dr. Kowalski's donation will be directed towards P.K.'s Helping Hand to support the Social Services Department. "At the Children's we care not only for some of the sickest children from across the province but for their families too," says Randy Robins, Associate Director of Hospital Services. "P.K's Helping Hand has benefited over 9,000 families in a variety of ways including through direct financial assistance and help with the purchase of expensive and crucial equipment for their child."  As for the hockey tickets, Randy Robins says "We are happy to offer them to the families of our patients, watching a game is a great way to spend time together and lift spirits!"

About the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation

The Montreal Children's Hospital is the pediatric teaching hospital of the McGill University Faculty of Medicine. The Children's is a leader in providing a broad spectrum of highly specialized care to newborns, children, and adolescents from all across Quebec. The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation raises funds to help the Children's remain on the cutting edge of teaching, research and care. The Foundation raised $105 million in its Best Care for Children campaign to build the new state-of-the-art hospital on the Glen site, which opened its doors to patients in 2015. For more information, please visit childrenfoundation.com.

SOURCE The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation

Séverine Defouni, Associate Director of Communications, Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation, 514-934-4846, [email protected]